Presser-foot lifter and thread-tension release



a] Je May 15,. i930. J, BERGER ET AL 1,758,349

' PREssER Foofr LIFTER AND THREAD TENsIoN RELEASE Filed sept. so; 1926 .3 Sheets-sheet 1 J4 Je? TUHH PRESSEB FOOT LIFTER AND THREAD TENSION RELEASE I5 Sheets-Sheet 2'.

Filed Sept. 30, 1926 May 13, 1930. 1 BERGER ET AL 1,758,349

PRESSER FOOT LIFTER AND THREAD TENSION RELEASE Filed Sept. 50, 1926v -3 SheetSSheet 3 Patented May 13, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF-'ics JOSEPH BERGER, or UTIcA, NEW YORK, AND WALTER. ti. HANNEMAN, OF OAK PARK,

ILLINOIS, nssrcNons To UNION SPECLAL Mael-HNE COMPANY, orV` CHICAGO, ILLI- NOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS PRESSER-FOOT LIFTER AND THREAD-TENSION RELEASE Application filed September 30, 1926. Serial No. 138,684.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a mechanism for releasing the tension on the threads of the sewing machine simultaneously with the lifting of the presser foot, so that when the stitching of the article is nished, and it is desired to remove it from the machine, the tension on the threads will be released when the foot is lifted.

An object of theV invention is to provide a mechanism of the above character wherein the tension disk for the needle thread and the tension disk for the looper thread are so associated that they may be simultaneously released by bodily shifting the tension disks relative to each other when the presser foot is lifted.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide a device of the above character wherein a plurality of needles and aV plurality of loopers are used, each thread having an individual tension disk, and wherein all the tension disks are simultaneously separated, and the nipper springs for the looper thread are also separated on the lifting of the presser foot.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide a v mechanism of the above character wherein the tensions are released by a single rotating shaft carrying Vmeans operating on devices associated with each tension for simultaneously separating the tension disks.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the above character wherein the shaft which releases the tensions is also provided with an arm operating devices for separating the nipper springs for the looper thread.

These and other objects will in` part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention- Figure l is a`view partly in section and partly in side elevation, showing a sewing machine having the improved presser foot lifting mechanism and tension release applied thereto Y Fig. 2 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation from the rear of the machine showing the improved tension releasing mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the shaft rotated so as to release the tension and separate the nipper springs; and n 4 Fig. 5 is a plan View of amachine with the tension release applied thereto and a portion of the Vcover plate removed to show the nipper Vsprings and the lead of the threads from the tensions to the nipper springs and to theneedle bar. n

The invention is directed broadly to a tension releasing mechanism for the needle andV looper threads, Lwhereby .when the presser foot is lifted, the tension for the needle thread is released, the tension for'the looper thread is released, and also the nipper springs for the looper thread are separated. Thisis accomplished by providing a rotating shaft Vwhich is associated with the tension' devices and nipper springs whereby an eccentric sleeve mounted thereon operates, when the shaft is rotated, to lift pins whichin turn operate to separate thetension disks. This shaft is also provided with a camvarm which operates through suitable devices to separate the nipper springs at the same time that the tensions are released. rl`he shaft is so connected with the presser foot lifting mechanism that it is oscillated when the presser foot is lifted, and therefore, the tensions will be released and the nipper springs .opened when the presser foot is raised from the material. Y

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the invention is shown as applied to a sewing machine having a supporting standard l carrying a horizontal housing 2 which supports a depending member 3 at one end, and this depending member 3 carries a work supporting arm 4. At the other end of the housing 2 there is a laterally projecting housing 5. The needle bar 6 reciprocates in this housing, and as shown in the drawings, is Provided with two needles. 7 ,v 7. Cooperating with each needle in the work supporting arm 4 is a looper 8. There are, therefore, two loopers 8, 8.

The material is held on the work supporting arm by a presser foot 9 which is carried by a presser bar 10 mounted in the housing 5. The presser foot is held against the work by means of a spring 11 which is of theusual character. This spring bears against a lug 12 fixed to the presser bar 10. Mounted in the housing 5 is a rock lever 13. The arm 14 of this rock lever extends underneath a pin or cross bar 15 carried by the lug 12. The other arm of the rock lever 13 is pivotally connected to a link 16.

At the rear of the machine there is a boss 17 which is integral with the frame of the machine. There are two bosses 17, 17. Mounted on each boss is a bracket 18. Mounted on these brackets is a plate 19 which extends from one bracket to the other, and is secured thereto by suitable screws 20. The brackets are secured to the frame by bolts 21. These brackets are provided with bearingsin which is mounted a shaft 22. The shaft extends all the way through the bracket 18 at the head of the machine. On the end of the shaft 22 is a lever 23. The lever 23 is rigidly attached to the shaft. This lever 23 has an upwardly eX- tending arm 24 to which the link 16 is pivoted. The lever 23 also has a horizontal arm to which a. flexible member 25 is attached. This flexible member is in turn connected with the treadle or knee shift, so that the lever may be pulled down for the purpose of raising the presser foot.

Mounted on the shaft 22 is an eccentric sleeve 26 which may be made integral with the shaft. A spring 27 encircles the shaft 22,

Aand one end of the spring is connectedto the shaft through the sleeve 26 and the other end is connected to the bracket 18. This spring normally turns the shaft so that the lever 23 is moved in a direction to allow the presser foot to be lowered on to the material through the action of the spring 11.

Mounted on the plate 19 are a series of posts 28. These posts are each provided with a fixed collar 29, and the lower end of the post is threaded into the plate 19. The collar 29 when threaded into the plate, bears against the bar 30, provided with upwardly bent ends, each of which is formed with an eye 31 for guiding the thread. The post through the integral collar 29 clamps the bar against the plate 19. Mounted on the post directly above the collar 29 is a tension disk 32. Directly above the tension disk 32 is a tension disk 33. The tension disk33 is of larger diameter than the tension disk 32 and is thus provided with a flange 34. A spring 35 surrounding the post bears against the upper tension disk and normally forces it against the lower tenson disk. A nut- 36 on the upper end of the post is for the purpose of increasing the tension on the spring.

In the drawings, four posts 28 are shown,

and on each post, are the tension disks and springs which have just been described in detail. They are all similar in character. The thread n for one of the needles passes from the supply through the thread guide eyes 31 and between the tension disks lon one of the posts.` rThe thread n for the other needle passes through the tension disks on the second post. The thread for one of the loopers passes between the tension disks on the third post, and the thread for the other looper passes through the tension disks on the fourth post. Thus it is that each needle thread and each looper thread have independent tension disks.

. The plate 19 isprovided with a series of openings, and in each opening is a sleeve bushing 37. Mounted in each bushing is a pin 38. These pins are directly over the eccentric sleeve 26 on the shaft 22.V Thevpins 38 are directly beneath the flanges ,34 of the respective tension disks 33. That is to say, there is a pin at each side of each tension disk, but the pin between the two `adjacent tension, disks engages the flanges ofboth disks, so that the one pin answers the purpose of two. These pins normally rest on an eccentric sleeve, and when the sleeve is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 4, then the pins are raised, and the pins engaging the flanges of the upper tension disks will simultaneously raise all of the disks. These pins move in the same general direction as the length of the post on which the tension disks are mounted, and they engage the tension disks at diametrically opposite' points, and therefore, they will lift the tension disks free of each other all the way around. This enables the threads to be entirely released from the tension disks and free to pass through the thread guide eyes31.

Inasmuch as the shaft 22 is rotated when the lever 23 is depressed, it willv be noted that the releasing of thel tensions occurs simultaneously with the lifting of the presser foot. The threads from the two 'tension devices adjacent the head of the machine pass to the thread controlling devices therefor, and thence to the needles. The threads from the other two tension devices pass to the thread nippers therefor. These thread nippers consist of an upper yielding member 39 and a lower flexible member 40. These members 39 and 40 are fixed rigidly to a. post 41 which threads against the yielding member 39. This yielding member 39 is, however, stiff enough.

so that the threads are clamped against any pull exercised thereon by the take-up cam for the looper threads. Mounted in the frame of the machine is a sleeve 44, and in this sleeve 44 is a reciprocating nipper spring releasing member 45. Said member has a tapered end 46 which is adapted to pass underneath the upturned end 47 of the flexible member 39. The continued forward movement of this releasing member will force the end thereof between the flexible member 40 and the yielding member o9, thus separating said members so as to release the grip thereof on the looper threads. The nipper springreleasing member is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 3 by a coiled spring 48. Y

Mounted on the shaft 22 is a cam arm 49. T he end of the tension releasing member is inclined as indicated at 50, thus forming a cam end. When the shaft 2,2 is rotated so that the pins release the tension disks, the arm 49 will come against the cam end 50 of the nipper spring releasing member 45, and will move it forward so as to separate the nipper springs and release the same from grip on the looper threads.

F rom the above it will be apparent that we have provided a mechanism whereby when the presser foot is lifted, all tension is taken off from both the needle threads and the looper threads. The nipper springs for the looper threads are also separated, so that all of the threads of the machine are free to move through their thread guides from the supply and permits the material to be readily removed from the machine, pulling enough thread from the supply for this purpose.

lVhile the invention is directed primarily to a mechanism which releases all tension on the stitching threads, and likewise, separates the nipper springs for the looper threads, it will be understood that the tension releasing mechanism may be used independently of the releasing of the nipper springs to a great advantage.

While a plurality of needle threads and a plurality of looper threads are used in the present machine, it will also be understood that the mechanism described wo-uld be useful .in connection with a single needle thread and a single looper thread.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and the arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what We claim as new and desire to'secure by Letters-Patent, is-

l. In a sewino' machine, the combination of a presser foot lifting mechanism, a plurality of threaded needles, a threaded looper cooperating Yith each needle, an independent tension for each needle thread and each looper thread, means for supporting the tensions said tensions being locatedv adjacent each other and in a line, a shaft located beneath he tensions, and devices independent of the support for the tensions and operated by the oscillation of said shaft for simultaneously releasing the tensions, said shaft having a connection with the presser foot lifting mechanism whereby when the presser foot is lifted the tensions are released. i

2. in a sewing machine, the combination of a presser foot lifting mechanism, a plurality of threaded needles, a threaded looper cooperating with each needle, an independent tension for each needle thread and each looper thread, said tensions being located adjacent each other and in a line, a shaft located beneath the tensions, devices operated by the oscillation of said shaft for simultaneously releasing the tensions, said shaft having a connection with the presser foot lifting mechy anism whereby when the presser foot is lifted,

the tensions are released, anipper clamp for the looper threads, and means operated by the oscillation of said shaft for opening said nipper clamp when the tensions are released.

3. ln a sewing machine. the combination of a presser foot lifting mechanism, a plurality of tir aded needles, a threaded looper for f each needle, an independent tension for each needle thread and-each looper thread, means for supporting the tensions said tensions including disks yieldinglypressed toward each other, said tensions being arranged adjacent each other and in a line, a shaft located beneath the tensions, means for oscillating the shaft when the presser 'foot is lifted, andVV means independent of 'he support for the tensions and Yactuated by the oscillation of the shaft for separating the tension disks of each tension.

4. In a sewing machine, the combination of a presser foot lifting mechanism, a plurality of threaded needles, a threaded looper for each needle, an independent tension for each needle thread and each looper thread. said tensions including disks yieldingly pressed toward each other, said tensions being'arranged adjacent each other and in a line, a shaft located beneath the tensions, means for osc'llating the shaftwhen the presser foot is lifted, means actuated by the oscillation of the shaft for separating the tension disks of each tension, a nipper clamp for the looper threads, a spring retracted plunger having a tapered end adapted to pass between the nipperI clamps vfor separating the same, and means carried by said shaft for engaging said plungerand forcing the same between the nipper clamps when the same is oscillated.

5. In a sewing machine, the combination of a threaded needle, a tension for said needle thread including a substantially vertical post, a fixed tension disk mounted thereon, and a movable tension disk slidable on said post, a spring normallypressing said disks together,

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a shaft mounted beneath the tension disks and having an eccentric. member, said movable tension disk having a flange extending beyond the peripheryof the fixed disk,.and means operated by the Veccentric portion of said shaft and-engaging said flange at diametrically opposed points for separating the disks. f l

6. A tension mechanism for sewing machines comprising a supporting plate, a post mounted on said plate, a disk fixed to said post a disk slidable on said` post and cooperating wit-h the fixed disk to place a tension on a thread passing between the disks, a spring bearing on said movable disk and normally tensioning the thread, said movable disk having a proj ecting` flange extending beyond the periphery of the fixed disk, and means for engaging said fiange at diametrically opposite points for separating the tension disks to release the tension on the thread.

7. A tension mechanism for sewing machines comprising a supporting plate, a post mounted on said plate, a disk fixed to said post, a disk slidable on said post and cooperating with the fixed disk to place a tension on'the thread passing between the disks, a spring bearing on said movable disk and normally tensioning the thread, said movable disk having a projecting ange extending beyond the peri ahery ofthe xed disk, means for engaging said flange at diametrically opposite points for separating the tension disks to release the tension on the thread.y and a bar clamped to the plate by the post and having thread guides for directing a thread between the disks;

8. A tension mechanism for sewing machines comprising spaced brackets, a bar mounted onsaid brackets, a plurality of posts secured to said bar, a fixed tension disk on each post, a movable tension disk on each post, a spring on each post normally pressing said tension disks together to tension a thread passing between the disks, a shaft adjacent said bar having an eccentric member, each movable disk having a flange projecting beyond the periphery of its associated fixed disk, and pins movable by the oscillation of said shaft for engaging said flanges at diametrically opposite points for separating the movable tension disks from the fixed disks, thus releasing the tension 5 simultaneously on all of the threads.

passing between the disks, a shaft adjacent said bar having an eccentric member, each -l movable disk having a flange projecting beyond the periphery of its associated fixed disk, pins movable by the oscillation of said shaftfor engaging said flanges at diametrically opposite points for separating the movable tensiondisks from the fixed disks, thus releasing the tension simultaneously on all of the threads, nipper clamps adjacent said tensions, and a spring-pressed plunger having a tapered end adapted to pass between the clamps and separate the same, said shaft having an eccentric member mounted thereon adapted to engage the plunger and actuate the same to separate the clamps when the movable tension disks are raised to release the tension on the threads.

10. In a sewing machine, the combination of a presser foot lifting mechanism, a plurality of threaded needles, a threaded looper Y cooperating with each needle, an independent tension for each needle thread and each looper thread, cach of said tensions including vertical tension posts located adjacent each other and in a line, tension disks on said posts, yielding means for holding said tension disks in engagement-with the thread passing between the disks, a shaft located beneath the tension posts, and devices independent of the tension posts and operated by the oscillation of said shaft for simultaneously separating the tension disks for releasing the tension on the threads, said shaft having a connection with the presser foot lifting mechanism whereby when the presser foot is lifted, the tensions are released.

1l. In a sewing machine, the combination of a presser foot lifting mechanism, a thread carrying needle, a thread carrying` looper cooperating with said needle, independent thread tensioning devices for the needle thread Yand looper thread, each of said tensioning devices comprising oppositely disposed, cooperating spring-pressed disks, means for supporting said tension disks, and means independent of said tension disk supporting means and actuated by the presser foot lifting mechanism for simultaneously engaging one of said disks in each tension device for bodily separating said disks when the presser foot is raised.

In testimony whereof, we afix our signatures.

JOSEPH BERGER. WALTER M. HANNEMAN.

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